I applied online. I interviewed at Ricoh (Kowloon Bay) in Nov 2025
Interview
I interviewed for a Customer Service Representative role at Ricoh Hong Kong Limited and unfortunately had one of the most unprofessional interview experiences in my career.
Lack of Respect: The department head showed little respect throughout the interview. My answers were repeatedly questioned or dismissed, even when I provided evidence (such as tax documents to verify my previous salary). Instead of constructive dialogue, the tone was confrontational and undermining.
Constant Interruptions and Mockery: On several occasions, I was barely able to say two words before being interrupted. The interviewer would cut me off mid‑sentence and launch into long, self‑styled “jokes” that were neither relevant nor professional. This behavior made it impossible for me to properly answer questions and reflected a complete lack of respect for the candidate’s voice.
Unfair Judgments: I was frequently interrupted mid-sentence and accused of lacking confidence simply because I spoke softly. When asked to demonstrate English and Mandarin skills, my Mandarin was fluent but the interviewer claimed not to understand. Colleagues present even confirmed my Mandarin was strong, yet the manager continued to criticize. My English was also unfairly judged despite my proven academic results and prior assessments.
Inconsistent and Illogical Questions: The interviewer asked misleading or irrelevant questions, such as differences between Excel in Office 365 versus non-365 versions, then dismissed my accurate response. I was told my IT background was inadequate, despite holding a degree in ICT.
Gaslighting Behavior: The interviewer insisted I would not succeed in other opportunities I mentioned, mocked my career choices, and made hypothetical comparisons only to contradict them. This created a hostile and discouraging environment.
Denial of Relevant Experience: Despite my prior customer service background, the interviewer dismissed it entirely because my previous company was small and I used a desktop phone instead of a call‑center headset. Even after I explained the company’s scale, I was told, “In our eyes, you have no customer service experience.” This was both unfair and inaccurate.
Unreasonable Assumptions About Stability: I explained that my decision to leave my previous company was due to downsizing and layoffs. Instead of acknowledging this, the interviewer labeled me as “unstable” and claimed I would quit within one or two months—an assumption that has never reflected my actual work history.
Poor Process and Compensation: The company’s probation and bonus policy was explained in a confusing and contradictory way, leaving me with the impression that terms were unfair. The offered salary was below market standards, yet delivered with misplaced confidence. Additionally, the interview process was inefficient—after meeting HR, colleagues, and the department head in the first round, I was told there would still be another “second interview,” which felt unnecessary and insincere.
The interview lasted over an hour and felt more like psychological pressure than a professional evaluation. Basic respect and fairness were missing. Based on this experience, I would caution candidates to prepare for a potentially negative and discouraging atmosphere.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
They asked many questions, but around 80% were unrelated to the Customer Service Representative role. It seemed the interviewers had not prepared a structured set of questions and were simply asking whatever came to mind.